Apparatus for cutting and grinding openings in a curved body

ABSTRACT

AN APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS ON PIPE OR VESSELS, PARTICULARLY THE CUTTING OF OPENINGS IN THE PIPE OR VESSELS WITH A CUTTING TORCH AND THE GRINDING OF THE INNER EDGE OF AN OPENING IN THE PIPE OR VESSEL.

A. M. SAAB 3,623,270

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND GRINDING OPENINGS IN A CURVED BODY Nov. 30, 1971 3 Shoots-Shoot l Filed sept. 22, 1969 Ill pmwel MaHLewA /4 TTOR N E YS Nov. 30, 1971 A- M, SAAB 3,623,270

y APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND GRINDING OFENINGS IN A CURVFD BODY Filed Sept. 22, 1969 3 Shoots-Shoot 2 Nov. 30, 1971 A. M. SAAB 3,623,270

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND GRINDING OPENINGS IN A UURVII) BODY Filed. Sept. 22, 1969 I5 Shoots-Shoot 5 pnauef willow f MaHLeu/A /l TOR N l-f YS United States Patent O ice 3,623,270 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND GRINDING OPENINGS IN A CURVED BODY Amin Melhem Saab, 3737l Hillcroft, Apt. 22, Houston, Tex. 77027 Filed Sept. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 859,699 Int. Cl. B231( 7/ 04; B24b 5 /36' U.S. Cl. 51-5 11 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for performing operations on pipe or vessels, particularly the cutting of o-penings in the pipe or vessel with a cutting torch and the grinding of the inner edge of an opening in the pipe or Vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The eld of this invention is an apparatus for grinding or beveling the inner edge of an opening in a pipe or vessel, or for performing related operations such as the torch cutting of such an opening prior to the grinding operation.

So far as is known, the grinding or beveling of the inner edges of openings in pipes or vessels, such as used for the Welding thereto of manhole fittings or other tittings, has been accomplished using hand held grinding tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for positioning and moving one or more grinding members in a path corresponding to a pre-cut opening in a substantially cylindrical or curved body such as a pipe or vessel for grinding or beveling the inner edge of such opening. In addition to the grinding operation, the apparatus may have a cutting torch assembly therewith for cutting the opening in the cylindrical body before the grinding operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevation illustrating the preferred form of the apparatus of this invention in position on a pressure vessel or pipe for performing a grinding operation with respect to the inner annular edge of an opening in the vessel or pipe;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the preferred form of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken on line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on 'line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the letter P refers to a pipe, cylindrical pressure vessel, or any other cylindrical or curved body with which the apparatus of this invention is especially adapted to be used. As will be explained in detail, the apparatus of this invention has a tool such as one or more grinding disks G which are adapted to perform an operation upon the curved body or pipe P. For example, if an opening P' having an inner annular edge 1() is to be ground or beveled, the apparatus of this invention is adapted to be positioned on the curved body P and operated so that the grinding disks G are rotated and automatically follow the contour of the inner annular edge 10 3,623,270 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 of the opening P so as to grind same. The grinding disks G are suspended from a support means S which is resiliently mounted in a rotatable adjustable means A which automatically moves the grinding disk G inwardly and outwardly relative to the pipe or curved body P as the entire support means S is rotated, so as to maintain the contact by the grinding surfaces on the grinding disks G with the inner annular edge 10 of the opening P. As will be explained in detail, the support means S, and the Workpieces therewith, are rotated by a motor M or any other suitable power means. The support means S is adjustable vertically horizontally, and angularly so as to accommodate some variation in the location of the pipe P with respect to the entire apparatus of this invention.

Considering the invention more in detail, the entire apparatus is preferably mounted on a movable carriage or frame C having a plurality of wheels 12 suitably mounted thereon for rolling engagement on the floor F or other surface. In some instances, it is desirable to have the wheels 12 mounted on rails since this apparatus is extremely heavy in the larger sizes. A base plate 14 is welded or is otherwise secured to a horizontal frame member 15 of the carriage C. The base plate 14 has a central opening 14a which is adapted to receive the lower end of a rotatable post 17. The post 17 is secured in the opening 14a by any suitable means, including thrust bearings 18 which are engaged by a stop shoulder 17a on the lower end of the post 17. The base 14 has an upper annular shoulder 14b which engages the upper portion of the thrust bearing 18.

A rotatable support plate 19 which is rotatable within an arc of approximately as will be more fully explained, rests upon bearings 20 which may be ball bear ings or any other suitable bearings which are disposed between the base plate 14 and the support plate 19. A bearing 20' is preferably provided in the opening 19a through the center of the support plate 19 so as to provide an anti-friction support for the post 17 in its rotation relative to the plate 19 as will be more fully explained.

The upper end of the post 17 is mounted in a bearing 21 which is suitably mounted in an upper support plate 22. The post 17 has a plurality of threads 17b thereon, the purpose of which will be explained. Also, a pulley 23 is mounted on the post 17 below the threads 17b, and such pulley 23 is connected to a pulley 24 by a drive belt 25. rlfhe pulley 24 is mounted on a suitable motor 26 so that rotation :can be imparted to the post 17 with the motor 26. The motor 26 is secured to the carriage C and is therefore movable with such carriage C.

A pair of rear guide rods 30 are welded to the lower plate 19 and the upper plate 22. Similar guide and support rods 31 are disposed forwardly of the rotatable post 17 and they are also welded or otherwise secured to the plate 19 and the plate 22.

A frame which lincludes parallel track members 33, and end member 34, and an intermediate brace member 35, is disposed for vertical movement on the carriage C. Such vertical movement is accomplished by che engagement of the threads 17b with internal threads in a nut 36 which is supported between the end frame member 34 and the intermediate brace member 35 by a plurality of angular braces 36a (FIG. 6). Such braces .36a are welded or are otherwise secured to the external surface of the nut 36 and are also welded o1' otherwise secured to the members 34 and 35 as shown in F'IG. 6. The member 34 includes guide sleeves 34a which receive and guide the frame member 34 with respect to the rods 30. Similarly, bearings or sleeves 35a are provided in the frame member 35 through which the rods 31 extend for guiding same during the vertical movement of the frame members 33, 34, and 35 relative to the post 17.

With the construction thus described, it will be evident that upon rotation of the post 17 by the driving of same with the motor 26 through belt 25, the nut 36 and therefore the frame members 33, 34 and 35 are caused to move either upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the post 17. The motor 26 is therefore a reversible motor so that both directions of movement of the frame members 33, 34 and 35 can be effected.

In some instances it is desirable to move the frame members 33, 34 and 35 horizontally as will be more evident hereinafter. Such horizontal movement is accomplished within prescribed limits by providing a circular gear rack 19b (FIGS. 2 and 7) which is engaged by a rotatable gear 37. The gear 37 is preferably operated by a plurality of gears 38 (FIG. 2), operating shafts 38a and 38b with beveled gears 38C therewith, and a handle 38d. The handle 38d may be manually or power operated for rotating the drive gear 37 for thereby effecting a turning of the plate 19. The gear rack 19b preferably extends for approximately 90 so as to permit approximately that amount of turning or rotational movement of the plate 19 and the parts connected therewith.

The tracks 33 may be formed in a number of ways but as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3, such tracks 33 are channel members which are adapted to receive a plurality of lrollers 40. Each pair of the outer rollers 40` on each side of the motor M (FIGS. 2 and 3) are secured to ad- 'justable clamping plates 41, while each center roller 40 is connected to a shaft 40a which |is secured at its inner end to the motor M. A bearing 40b is provided internally of each center roller 40 so as to permit each center roller 40 to turn independently of the shaft 40a. The adjustable clamp plates 41 are disposed outwardly of a motor frame 42 which is secured to the motor M and which is movable therewith. The shafts 40a extend through the frame 42 and also through the adjustable clamp plates 41. Each of the clamp plates 41 preferably has an arcuate slot or slots 41a through which extends a locking bolt or screw 41b which threads into the motor frame 42. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, each clamping plate 41 has a pair of such slots 41a and a pair of the locking bolts or screws 41b. When the bolts or screws 41 are threaded inwardly, their heads tighten against the external surface of the clamping plate 41 and thus lock the motor frame 42 and the motor M therewith in a particular position. Thus as shown in FIG. 2, the motor M is substantially vertical, but by loosening the bolts or screws 41b, the motor frame 42 and the motor M may be rotated in a counter clockwise direction, and when t-he desired angle for the motor M is reached, the bolts 41b are then tightened to lock the frame 42 at such angle. Since the rollers 40 are attached to the plate 41, they of course remain in the track 33, regardless of the particular angle at which t-he motor M is disposed.

For moving the motor M horizontally on the tracks 33, a suitable power means is provided, which in the form of the invention illustrated, includes a gear rack 33a on the lower surface of one of the tracks 33. A drive gear 33b is mounted on a shaft 33t: which preferably extends from one of the plates 41. Meshing gears 33d and 33e are provided for connection with a handle 33f so that upon a rotation of the handle 337 the gear 33b is rotated to move the entire motor M, frame 42 and all the parts therewith so as to cause the rollers 40 to travel along the tracks 33. It will be appreciated that the illustration for the moving means for the motor M is only illustrative since a suitable source of power may be utilized, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

The automatic adjustable means A includes a drive body 50 which is driven by a motor M through a gear box 51. The drive body 50 is slotted at 50a so that the support means or arms S are adapted to extend therethrough. Preferably, the support means S includes arms 55 which are joined together to form a unitary member extending through the center portion of the drive body 50i. Each arm 55 has a roller 56 suitably supported at its outer end for engagement with the external surface of the pressure vessel, pipe or the curved body, normally in proximity to the inner annular edge 10 of the opening IP in the vessel, pipe or other curved body P.

The support means S is resiliently mounted in the drive body 50 by lower springs 57, and upper springs 58. Such springs 57 and 58 are disposed in pairs above and below the support member S and are retained in longitudinal alignment by alignment pins 59 which are secured to the upper end of the drive block 50. Such alignment pins 59 are adapted to slide through suitable openings 55a in the arms 55. For additional support the support means S may have laterally extending portions 60 within the drive block 50 (FIG. 4), each of which also has a suitable opening 60a for receiving a drive pin 59 and a pair of upper and lower springs 57 and 5S in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 3 for the pins 59 which extend through t-he arms 55. The springs 58 are under compression' so that they tend to move the entire support member S downwardly to approximately the lower end of the pins 59. Therefore, as will be more evident hereinafter, when the rollers 56 are in engagement with the external surface of the pipe or vessel P there is a constant force exerted by the springs 58 urging the rollers 56 into contact with the external surface of the pipe P, even as the rollers 56 are moved in a rotary path and move inwardly with respect to the center of the pipe or vessel P.

The grinding disks G are of any conventional construction and have carbide or other suitable grinding material thereon. Each grinding disk G is preferably rotated by a separate air operated motor 62 which is suspended from the arms 55 by suitable brackets 62a. The motors 62 are supplied with air or other suitable driving uid through tubes `63 which are connected together at a common inlet T 63a and which are connected to a hose 64. The hose 64 is connected to the T 63a through a suitable swivel 64a which is of suitable construction and which preferably extends through the drive shaft 50a (FIG. 2) connected to the upper end of the drive body 50. The hose 64 is connected to any suitable source of compressed air or other fluid for operating the motors `62. Other means for operating the motors 62 may be provided. For example the motors 62 could be electrical motors and the tubes 63 and 64 could be electrical wires leading thereto for supplying the power.

To provide for an adjustment of the angle at which the grinding disks G contact the inner annular edge 10` of the opening P' in the pipe or pressure vessel P, each of the motors 62 is preferably provided with an adjustable turnbuckle connection 65 on shafts 65a which terminate in pistons 65b. The pistons 65b terminate in a housing 66 having springs 66a therein which are engaged by the pistons or heads 6512 to provide for shock absorbing in the event that the grinding disks VG hit a relatively large and hard obstruction during the grinding operation. By turning the turnbuckle `65, the angle at which the grinding disks `G are positioned may be readily adjusted since the motors 62 are pivotally mounted on their brackets `62a and since the rods or shafts 65a are also pivotally mounted at 65e to the motor 62.

In the operation or use of the apparatus of this invention for a grinding operation, the pipe or pressure vessel P having an annular opening P' to be ground or beveled, is moved into position in proximity to the apparatus of this invention. The final position of the apparatus for the grinding operation can be adjusted within limits by the various adjusting means previously described. Thus, the carriage C can be moved on the rollers or wheels 12 to approximately position the motor M directly above the opening P. The motor M may be moved on the guide tracks 33 by the hand control 33j or any other suitable power means to more accurately position the motor M where desired above the pipe P. In some instances, it may be desirable to operate the handle .38a to move the tracks 33 horizontally for a more accurate positioning of the grinding wheels G within the opening P'. The entire motor M and the parts therewith may be moved vertically by the operation of the motor 26, as previously explained to thereby initially position the grinding disks G for grinding action. After the grinding disks G have been positioned substantially as shown in FIG. 1, air or other fluid is supplied through the hose 64 from any suitable power source for operating the motors 62 to rotate the grinding disks G. Preferably, the initial position of the rollers 56 is at the highest elevation of the opening P', and at that point, the motor M is moved downwardly enough so as to place the springs 58 under substantial compression and to also place the upper portion of the grinding disk G in engagement with the inner annular edge of the opening P. The bracket 62a may be adjusted inwardly and outwardly to adjust the contact between the grinding disks G and the inner edge 10.

The motor M is then operated, using electrical power or any other suitable source of power, to turn the gears 51 and then to rotate the drive body 50` for driving the support means S and the grinding disk G in a rotary path conforming to the contour of the opening P. Since the rollers 56 are on the external surface of the pipe P, they move downwardly or inwardly from the maximum elevation illustrated in FIG. 1 as they are rotated and they reach a maximum point of inward movement at approximately 90 from the position shown in `FIG. 1. The springs 58 force the rollers 56 to stay in contact `with the external surface of the vessel or pipe P during such rotation as the rollers 56 move downwardly along the surface of the pipe or vessel P. The grinding wheels G move inwardly and outwardly with the rollers 56 and thereby follow the contour of the inner edge 10 of the opening P'.

After the grinding operation is completed, the motor 26 may be operated to rotate the post 17 to thereby elevate the tracks 33 and the motor M therewith so as to move the grinding disks G outwardly from the pipe or vessel P.

The opening P may -be cut with a conventional cutting torch or any other suitable equipment. However, it is preferable to provide an auxiliary apparatus with the present invention which includes a torch T which is preferably a conventional Oxy-acetylene cutting torch (FIG. 2.). Such cutting torch T may be considered as the workpiece since it is guided in essentially the same manner as previously described for the grinding disks G. A pair of channel guide tracks 133, which are the same substantially as the channel tracks 33, are provided for a motor M-1 which is adapted to be mounted for horizontal movement on such tracks 133 to support the m0- tor frame 142. Side clamping plates 141 and locking bolts or screws 141b are provided in the same manner as described heretofore in connection with the locking plates 41 and the bolts or screws 41b. Thus, the motor M-l is mounted in essentially the same manner as the motor M heretofore described and the motor M-1 is adjustable to different positions as described in connection with the motor M. The horizontal movement is effected by a gear drive which engages with a gear rack 133a and which has a gear handle drive 1331, corresponding to the gear rack 33a and handle 33]c previously described. The motor M-1 drives through a gear box 151 to a rotatable shaft 150a connected to the upper end of a drive body 150.

A support member or means S-l (FIGS. 2 and 5) includes a pair of arms 155 which are preferably joined together and form a unit with a central plate 155a. The rollers 156 are suitably mounted on the arms 155 for engagement with the external surface of the pipe P. The support means S-1 is resiliently mounted, using guide rods 159 which correspond with the guide rods 59, and springs 157 and 158 which are disposed in the identical manner to that illustrated in FIG. 3, and heretofore described. Thus, as the drive body 150' is rotated, the torch T is maintained at approximately the same distance from the external surface of the pipe P by automatically moving inwardly and outwardly due to the resiliency and the spring action by the springs 158 disposed above the support arms 155.

Some adjustment in the position of the torch T can be made initially by an adjusting asembly which includes an arcuate gear rack disposed below the tracks 133, and which is engaged by an idler gear 91 and a drive gear 92 having a handle 93 therewith. The tracks 133 are connected to a rotatable sleeve 133b which is rotatable on the post 117. Preferably the post 117 is welded or otherwise secured to the `tracks 33 at 118, but it may be slidable thereon so long as it does not interfere with the rollers or wheels `40.

The torch cutting apparatus may therefore be disposed as an axiliary part of the overall apparatus of this invention, or the torch cutting portion may be a separate piece of equipment which is used in conjunction with the grinding portion of the apparatus. In any event, the same basic structure is preferably utilized for handling the workpieces, the grinding disks G and the torch T.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made wi-thout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for performing operations on a curved lbody, comprising:

a tool for performing an operation on a curved body;

supportimeans supporting said -tool for rotary movement relative to the curved body;

means for imparting rotation to said support means and said tool therewith; and

automatically adjustable means forming part of said support means for automatically adjusting the tool inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of the curved body as the tool is moved with said support means in a predetermined rotary path;

said support means including a pair of diametrically disposed support arms, each of which has a roller mounted thereon for engagement with the external surface of the curved body; and

said automatically adjustable means including resilient imeans resiliently urging said support arms towards the external surface of the curved body to maintain said rollers in constant engagement wi-th the external surface as said support means is rotated relative to said curved body.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said tool is a grinding disk; and

said adjustable means adjusts Ithe position of said grindlng disk to follow the con-tour of the inner edge of an opening in said curved body. 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, Iwherein said tool 1s a grmdlng disk suspended from one of said support ar'ms for disposition inwardly of and in grinding contact vith the inner edge of an annular opening in the curved 4. The structure set forth in claim 3, including: an additional grinding disk suspended from 4the other of said support arms and also disposed in grinding contact with the inner edge of an annular opening 1n the curved body, whereby the grinding disks serve to grind or bevel such inner edge as said support means 1s rotated relative to said curved body.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, including:

power means operably connected to each of said grinding disks for rotating same as said wheels are also moved in a rotary path in contact with the inner annular edge of the opening in the curved body.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, including:

means for adjusting the position of said support means relative to the curved body to thereby position said ltjorl at the desired position relative to the curved 7 7. The apparatus set forth in clai-m 6, wherein said means for adjusting the position of said support means includes:

means for moving said support means vertically, horizontally and angularly so as to adjust the tool to the position desired relative to said curved body. 8. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said tool is a cutting torch which is adapted to be rotated for cutting an opening in the curved body. p

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, and including: an additional support means supporting a plurality of grinding disks in engagement with the inner edge of the opening and for rotary movement relative to the curved body; and adjustable means with said additional support means for adjusting the position of said grinding disk inwardly and outwardly automatically to maintain said grinding disk in grinding contact with the inner edge of said opening as said additional support means is rotated. 10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein: said rollers provide the sole contact of said support means with the curved body. 11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein said support means includes: a drive body having slots through which said support arms extend;

by said rollers; and

said resilient means includes a spring for each support arm urging same inwardly towards the curved body while permitting outward movement to maintain the constant engagement of the rollers with the surface of the curved body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hall 51-241 Maguire 51--241 X yPetersen 266--23 4Sonngren 266-23 lFergurson 266-23 Cink 266-23 Gould 51-120 X HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary lExaminer Ufs. C1. X.R. 

